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Semi Hollow-which one?

Okay, after the semi hollow I swear my GAS will pass. Looking at Midtown, Skyline, Casady and Coronado. Leaning towards the Casady because I am trying to get over fear of Epiphones. What's t he consensus?
 
Get over your fear of Epiphones with a Viola. I am loving mine. Unless you hate the fiddle shape. Then go with a Coronado. Go to YouTube find Jamstage CZ and listen to Jaryn Janek play both. Double dose of awesome.
 
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The Midtown has a neck and bridge pickup
Coronado a floating bridge
Casady 1 middle pickup
Slyline has a neck and middle pickup (not as close to the bridge as the others)

Just a few off the top of my head. Make your decision based on how they're different and what you prefer. If you don't have preferences on the pickup location or the bridge, you've probably haven't thought it out enough yet. As for your fear of Epiphone get over it :D especially when it comes to hollowbody basses you're not talking about basses that were known for impeccable craftsmanship or parts. Lot's of these basses came with cheap bridges, acoustic guitar tuning pegs, painted necks. Embrace the cheesy factor it's part of their charm.
 
There's also vintage Japanese cheese. They made some fantastic hollow bodied, great sounding, and very cheesy bass guitars in the '60s.

I don't like viola bass guitars because the neck is so small. They are usually short scale, which isn't an issue, but also very narrow and very shallow, which I don't like at all. They are unique that way. I played a Coronado about six months ago and liked it. Same with a Midtown. I prefer an arched top aesthetically, so I don't like the way a Midtown looks quite so well, but as a bass guitar, it was very good. I haven't played a Cassady. Another couple hollowbodies to consider are Ibanez and Gretsch.
 
I have the Casady and love it. Has a very unique sound thanks to the low impedance pickup. It's fairly light but it's a large bass if that matters. I am very comfortable with it and I've had no issues with mine so far. I bought a used one a couple years back but it was really beat up and had problems with the pots. That's probably the biggest weak point with the Casadybass. Buy one from a good store that has a good return policy if you can't find one to try. The new one in Alpine White is really beautiful. Haven't tried the other bassesyou have listed but I did try the Ibanez hollow body's and They didn't do it for me. Good luck in your search!
 
Fender Japan Precision A/E; kinda.
You can't have it.

IMG_1345.jpg
 
Okay, after the semi hollow I swear my GAS will pass. Looking at Midtown, Skyline, Casady and Coronado. Leaning towards the Casady because I am trying to get over fear of Epiphones. What's t he consensus?

Look for an Ibanez ASB 140, buy it, install a Curtis Novak Darkstar clone, put on a set of Thomastik Jazz flats (Their R/W strings work well, too) and go out to dinner on the money you saved.
 
Why the epiphone viola versus the Hofner?

Good question. First, I have had several violin basses over the years. I currently have the Epiphone and a Hofner Icon BB.
German Hofners are waaaay out of my price league.

The Epiphone, of all the ones I have played, has the most solid feel to the construction. Secondly, a V-V-T arrangement blows the 2V 3Sw. out of the water tonally.
The neck on the Epi is slightly fuller than many, and has a good feel as well. It's a fact of life you have to take a violin bass on its own terms, you cant lay into it like a P bass. I tend to be heavy handed, and the Epi all the way around for me, would cover just about any 4 string gig. I like rounds.

I have the Hofner strung with tapes, which is a soft thumpy sound, kind of what it is famous for.

If you have watched the video, it has a beautiful fat woody tone, but well defined. It goes much further in both directions if you want it. Of course, it gets that unique grind and growl you can only get with a good hollow body. As far as price goes, it's an absolute steal. Fit and finish are excellent.

I would love a Coronado re-ish too. But not because I'm missing anything with the Epi. Happy happy. Wish I had bought one years ago.
 
Why not the guild starfire? That's certainly one to consider. There's also a pretty decent dearmond starfire for sale on eBay for $400 right now. I'd at least bring those into consideration. The bi sonic pickup is a very well respected pup. Idk if you're interested in short scales or trying to avoid them, but both are shorties. I personally wasn't fond of the neck on the jack Casady but I only had 5 minutes with her just the other day. I like small/thinner necks. Good luck, hollows sound nice either way
 
Look for an Ibanez ASB 140, buy it, install a Curtis Novak Darkstar clone, put on a set of Thomastik Jazz flats (Their R/W strings work well, too) and go out to dinner on the money you saved.

Nice bass for the $, but ergonomically the worst bass I have ever played. I really could only play it sitting down. I got a Lakland Skyline Hollowbody and my search for a Hollowbody is over.